FL Native Paul Reubens, Best Known As ‘Pee-wee Herman’, Dead At 70

SARASOTA, FL — Paul Reubens, an actor, writer, comedian and producer known best for his character “Pee-wee Herman,” died Sunday night after a six-year battle with cancer.

The Florida native, who grew up in Sarasota, was 70.

“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit,” according to a statement on his Facebook page. “ A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”

The actor “delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” the statement continued.

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in his own statement, which was also posted to his Facebook page. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

He asked fans to make expressions of sympathy following his death in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or organizations involved in dementia and Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Born in Peekskill, New York as Paul Rubenfeld, he grew up in Sarasota, where his parents owned a lamp store, according to the performer’s IMDB page.

Reubens began performing at a young age, joining the Asolo Theater at 11 years old. He appeared in various plays at the theater for the next six years.

After graduating from Sarasota High School in 1970, he went on to Boston University, which he attended for one year before moving to Hollywood and studying acting at the California Institute of the Arts.

In California, Reubens took on small roles in theater productions, local comedy club gigs, guest appearances in “The Gong Show” and joined the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings.

He debuted his character Pee-wee Herman in 1978 as part of his improv group. The character went on in multiple television shows, specials and films. One year after the release of his full-length 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” he was signed by CBS to act, produce and direct a live-action children’s program, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

Reubens also faced several scandals during his career. In 1991, while visiting his parents in Sarasota, he went to an adult theater to watch an X-rated film and was arrested for indecent exposure, according to NBC News.

He was a “victim (of) a police sting operation,” his IMDB page said. He was released on $219 bail, paid a $50 fine plus $86 costs to Sarasota County, and produced a 30-second public service message for the Partnership For Drug-Free America. The county sealed records related to the arrest, leaving Reubens with no criminal record.

He pleaded guilty to the charge to avoid going to trial, HuffPost reported. He’s maintained his innocence since the arrest.

He was arrested again in 2002 on child pornography charges, the New York Post said. Those charges were dropped and the actor pleaded guilty to a lesser obscenity charge.